What Are the Solution to Ethnic Problems in Nigeria 2024

The subject of ethnicity is complex and complicated, but there are Solution to Ethnic Problems. Understanding the core causes of ethnic conflicts enables us to move toward a more peaceful and harmonious community.

We’ll look at the sources of ethnic tension and consider some potential solutions.

The Solution to Ethnic Problems in Nigeria

Problems pave the way for solutions and mediums to solve them and to that, the problem of ethnic groups demands the mind and reorientation of the citizens of the country to be solved and put to an end.

One of the ways to solve and eradicate the problems caused as a result of diverse ethnic groups is:

1. Intertribal Wedding 

The government’s encouragement of multicultural marriage will undoubtedly solve ethnic issues. Intercultural tribes might be financially sponsored and officially congratulated to demonstrate respect for those who contribute to the formation of a united Nigerian country. 

2. Economic Cooperation 

Economic teamwork It is vital to provide citizens with a common system of products and to connect regions based on their natural resources.

For example, the Edo people supply the country with cocoa while receiving sugarcane from the Sokoto people. A similar interaction can be used in various sectors of the economy. 

3. State and Political Collaboration

The formation of common political organizations, as well as the establishment of road and rail transportation links between the regions of various ethnic groups, must be considered. 

Furthermore, the government must begin to consider how to overcome ethnic conflicts, and the administration must be interested in resolving current ethnic issues. 

To serve the interests of all Nigerians, the parliament must include lawmakers from all (and even small) cultures.

4. Secular Movements

The planning of national festivals, celebrations, the introduction of traditional holidays, and even religion will help to find solutions to ethnic problems. 

It is difficult to change or modify ethnic habits, but it is critical to do everything possible to establish commonalities in all cultures and to assure people that they must compromise and accept changes for Nigeria to remain united. 

5. Education of Young People 

It is more difficult to influence the opinion of older people who continue to promote ethnic violence in Nigeria (maybe for personal motives) than to influence the establishment of a new worldview among young people. 

The subject of intercultural contact must be covered in the curriculum. Children must attend the conference with representatives from various Nigerian cultures. 

There, individuals can discuss cultural history, cultural experiences, beliefs, food recipes, cultural heritage, and traditions. Nothing reduces violence, bigotry, and hatred like a broad viewpoint supplied by education.

This diversity in ethnicity has posed numerous problems to the country and we would be proffering solutions to the identified problem caused as a result of diverse ethnic groups in the country.  

Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

Various ethnic groups exist in Nigeria with some of these ethnic groups recognized as the major and significant ones while others are minor.

Recognized ethnic groups in Nigeria the major ethnic groups are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Kanuri, Fulani, Ijaw, and Ibibio.

Ethnicity

Different mediums for understanding ethnicity have been applied by different social scientists when trying to understand the nature of ethnicity as a factor in human life and society.

An Ethnic group or ethnicity is a group of people who share the same background, language, culture, history, and ancestral knowledge.

Ethnicity cannot be replaced but one identity can be replaced as both cannot be said to be used interchangeably, ethnicity is a natural involvement that does not give an avenue for choice of involvement.

However, an individual can choose to identify oneself with another ethnic group either as a result of admiration or to fulfill a particular task, project, or ambition. Highlights of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria are as follows.

• Hausa

The Hausas having occupied a larger space of the country and are located in the northern part of the country as the most populated of the ethnic groups are pastoral in occupation and have a distinct language from other ethnic groups in Nigeria,

Many Hausa indigenes have found their way into the political aspect of the country and some other sectors of the country as some have indulged in trading and rearing of cattle and other animals. The predominant religion among the hauses is the Islamic religion.  

• Yoruba

Group located in the western part of the country, the Yoruba constitute 21% of the Nigerian population making them the second largest group.

Yoruba people indulge in Christianity and Islam although some of them still uphold their ancestors’ traditional religion and beliefs.                 

The Yorubas in Nigeria are believed to have originated from Ile Ife, the western part of Nigeria consists of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Osun, Kogi, and Lagos states. This region is mostly covered with savanna parkland and grass.

• Ijaw

The Ijaws are a collection of people that are indigenous to the Niger Delta in Nigeria. And owing to the affinity they have with water, a large number of them are found as migrant fishermen in camps as far west as Sierra Leone and as far east as Gabon.

Ijaw (also known by the subgroups” Ijo” or” Izon”) is a collection of indigenous peoples mostly to the forest regions of the Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States within the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

The Ijaw people live by fishing supplemented by farming paddy-rice, plantains, yams, cocoyams, bananas, and other vegetables as well as tropical fruits such as guava, mangoes, and pineapples; and trading.

Although the Ijaw are now primarily Christians (95% profess to be), Catholicism and Anglicanism are the varieties of Christianity most prevalent among them.

• Igbo

The Igbos commonly addressed as ndi Igbo occupy the southern part of the country and are the third most populated ethnic group in Nigeria.  

The Igbo make states like, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, the main language, spoken among the Igbo is known as asusu Igbo or Igbo izugbe.

The Igbos do not play so much of a significant role in the political aspect of the country as the former, rather they have indulged sorely in developing themselves and their indigenes into business.

The Igbo mostly practices Christianity with most of its indigenes identifying with the Roman catholic church.

• Kanuri

The Kanuri language is classified as affiliated to the Saharan branch of the Nilo-Saharan family. Kanuri, African people.

The dominant element of the population of Bornu state in northeastern Nigeria and are also found in large numbers in southeastern Niger. Kanuri peoples include different subgroups and are identified by different names in some regions. 

• Fulani

The Fulani people are one of the largest and most populated ethnic groups that can be found widely dispersed across the Sahel and West Africa.

Scattered mainly in Nigeria and Cameroon, these semi-nomadic people fiercely reject anything they perceive as contrary to their lifestyle of roaming with their cattle herds

Problems Deciphered From Diverse Ethnic Groups

In as much as diversity is seen to have and promote more of its positive aspects than its negative aspects which include acceptability, interpersonal relationships, and respect for one’s differences.

it also breeds and results in conflict and disagreement among parties involved and a country with a large number of ethnic like Nigeria is not an exception in this context.

Diversity can produce tension and conflict. Because people have things that make them distinct, they have areas where conflict and contention can arise.

There are over 250 ethnic groups. It is however very disturbing that Nigerians have become slaves to their ethnic origins instead of harnessing these diversities towards national development, tourism, and interpersonal relationships.

• Religious Unacceptability and Fear

Christians occupying the southern region of Nigeria fear the northern political power with an assumption that the country will be Islamized turning every citizen of the country into accepting a stipulated religion.

The fear and the unacceptability of diverse religions have limited the embarking of most religious movements to some other ethnic groups. The suspicion has openly resulted in religious conflict.

• Segregation and Marginalization of Ethnic Groups

Segregation and marginalization of most ethnic groups to another have been a sole initiator of the problems resulting from the diverse ethnic groups just like the marginalization of the eastern part of Nigeria.

This was one of the causes of the 1967-1970 civil war and also persisted as the Igbos were marginalized and referred to as the Biafrans.

• Favoritism

As a result of diversity and differences in ethnic groups, the room for favoritism has been opened and rights denied to people who merit it.

Favoritism which is also referred to as preference has been a threatening development caused by diversity in ethnic groups.

Political position occupants prefer co-ethnic individuals to diverse ethnic individuals for appointment and other positions, and managers in firms and establishments prefer co-ethnic individuals.

To a fellow who merits such appointments and positions. In as much as this portrays love and brotherhood, it also depicts a right infringed upon.  

Awesome right? The solution to ethnic problems is not easy, but it is possible. With understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect, we can create a society where all people feel welcome and valued.

It’s up to each of us to play our part in this effort. So, let’s do our part to build a better world for everyone.

Let’s start by being kind and accepting of each other, no matter their ethnicity. Together, we can make a difference and bring Solution to Ethnic Problems.